Our Heritage, Your Story: Explore the Past with Bath Record Office

This project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It aimed to open up eight centuries of Bath’s historic records to as wide an audience as possible. An outreach programme introduced the Record Office and the wonderful archive material it holds to many new people. An online catalogue to a significant set of records is also being created.

The project included:

Hidden Presence in Bath. A collaborative research project exploring the presence of Black people in Georgian and Victorian Bath. Young people from the Black Families Education Support Group conducted research at Bath Record Office, and wrote audio pieces based on their findings. Following on from the HLF-funded element of the project, a filmmaker created a film to visualize their work. You can view the film above or at: https://hiddenpresencebath.wordpress.com/ where you can also read more about the project.

First ever Bath Record Office Open Day attended by 200 people, with nearly 100 going on a tour of the strongrooms

Three new leaflets to help researchers - an introductory flier, Explore Family History with Bath Record Office and Explore House History with Bath Record Office. All available free from Bath Record Office.

Introductory sessions for Bath Spa University Heritage Managment first and second year undergraduates

Introductory talk for University of Bath MSc Conservation Architecture students

Bath Record Office roadshows taken out to Peasedown St John, Weston, Westfield and South Stoke.

17 Beginners and Advanced Family History Days taught, attended by 197 people

Three training sessions held for Bath and North East Somerset Library staff and volunteers

One briefing session of Council customer service staff

Five History at Your Feet drop-in lunchtime sessions held for Bath and North East Somerset Council staff

Film inspired by real life Victorian police and criminals created by the Natural Theatre Company and a local youth group. You can view the film, Crime and Punishment, below or at: https://vimeo.com/145818571